Blueberry plant named &#39;RIDLEY 1212&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley 1212’ is provided. ‘Ridley 1212’ is a commercial variety intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant. The variety is produced from a cross of seed parent ‘M07-18-03’ (unpatented) and pollen parent ‘M05-05-04’ (unpatented), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/494,549 filed on Aug. 12, 2016, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

Latin name of the family, genus, and species: Family—Ericaceae.Genus—Vaccinium. Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘RIDLEY 1212’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofVaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given thevariety denomination of ‘Ridley 1212’. Its market class is that of afruiting plant. ‘Ridley 1212’ is intended for use as fresh fruit forshipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home gardenplant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in 2009 from the controlled pollination of seed parent‘M07-18-03’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘M05-05-04’ (unpatented).The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within apopulation of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlledpollination in 2012 in a commercial field plantation environment atLindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was acombination of strong plant growth vigor and open bush, upright tosemi-upright plant growth habit, low chilling requirement, early tomedium time of flowering and fruit ripening, medium to large, sweet,firm, crisp fruit suited to handling, ripe berries able to shake offleaving unripe fruit on the bush making machine harvesting possible,desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at thecommercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since2012 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that thenew cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding program of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in 2009 from the controlled pollination of seed parent‘M07-18-03’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘M05-05-04’ (unpatented).The seed parent was produced from a cross between ‘S01-28-01’ and‘S01-23-01’. The pollen parent was produced from a cross between‘C95-12’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,684) and ‘C96-67’ (unpatented).

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent‘M07-18-03’ primarily in strong plant growth vigor, firm fruit firmness,high level of sweetness and medium sized leaves whereas the seed parenthas very strong plant growth vigor, medium fruit firmness, medium levelof sweetness and large sized leaves. Plants of the new cultivar differfrom plants of the pollen parent ‘M05-05-04’ primarily in upright tosemi-upright plant growth habit, medium to large fruit size, and highlyrated fruit flavor whereas the pollen parent has a more upright plantgrowth habit, medium fruit size, and lower rated fruit flavor.

The new blueberry variety was designated M12-12-12, and has been plantedin replicated trials since 2013.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a controlled breeding program of Vaccinium atLindendale, NSW, in 2012 from the controlled pollination of seed parentM07-18-03 (unpatented) and pollen parent M05-05-04 (unpatented).

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood cutting propagationsince 2012 at Lindendale, New South Wales has demonstrated that the newcultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding program of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in 2009 from the controlled pollination of seed parent‘M07-18-03’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘M05-05-04’ (unpatented).The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within apopulation of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlledpollination in 2012 in a commercial field plantation environment atLindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was acombination of strong plant growth vigor and open bush, upright tosemi-upright plant growth habit, low chilling requirement, early tomedium time of flowering and fruit ripening, medium to large, sweet,firm, crisp fruit suited to handling, ripe berries able to shake offleaving unripe fruit on the bush making machine harvesting possible,desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at thecommercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia and farms atTabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish M12-12-12 (Ridley 1212) as a newand distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Upright to semi-upright and open bush.    -   2. Early to mid timing of flowering beginning    -   3. Early to mid timing of fruit ripening.    -   4. Dark blue berry color with good bloom.    -   5. Very firm and crisp berry.    -   6. Dry picking scar.    -   7. Medium to large berry size.    -   8. Berry sweetness is very high.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent‘M07-18-03’ primarily in strong plant growth vigor, rounder fruit shape,firm fruit firmness, high level of sweetness and medium sized leaveswhereas the seed parent has very strong plant growth vigor, more oblatefruit shape, medium fruit firmness, medium level of sweetness and largesized leaves. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of thepollen parent ‘M05-05-04’ primarily in upright to semi-upright plantgrowth habit, medium to large fruit size, and highly rated fruit flavorwhereas the pollen parent has a more upright plant growth habit, mediumfruit size, and lower rated fruit flavor.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since2012 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that thenew cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 1212’.The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 1212’, demonstratingthe plant's open and upright growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 1212’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘Ridley 1212’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the fall foliage of the new variety ‘Ridley1212’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley 1212’.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of the leaves, fruit, new shoot, inflorescenceand fruit cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley 1212’.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of fruit of the variety ‘Ridley 1212’.

FIG. 8 is a photograph of fruit cross section of the variety ‘Ridley1212’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited inthe detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of thenew blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Ridley 1212’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately 4 years of age, and thedescriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam, New SouthWales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made onfruit grown in abulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designationsare from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society ColorChart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 edition.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—hybrid.        -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.-   Parentage: Female Parent —‘M07-18-03’ (unpatented). Male    Parent—‘M05-05-04.’ (unpatented).-   Market class: a fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for    shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing    markets and as a home garden plant.-   Plant:    -   -   General.—Parentage — Female Parent — ‘M07-18-03’            (unpatented). Male Parent — ‘M05-05-04’ (unpatented). Plant            height — 1.8 m. Plant width — 1.2 m. Growth habit — Upright            to semi-upright. Growth — Strong vigor. Productivity —            Greater than 5 kg per season from 3-4 year old plants            planted at 3.0 m×0.9 m density. Cold hardiness — Has not            been grown in all environments including harsh winter            environments. Cold tolerance — Cold tolerance is expected to            be low. Chilling requirement — Has not been grown in all            environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop            where chilling hours are not important. ‘Ridley 1212’ is            classed as ‘low chill’, typical of Southern Highbush            Blueberry varieties with an estimated chilling requirement            of 250 hours (not tested). Tolerance to disease — Moderate            resistance to root disease (phytophihora spp) and good            resistance to blueberry rust. Leafing — Vegetative bud burst            is late when grown as an evergreen in Australia. Twigginess            — Low.-   Stem:    -   -   General.—Suckering tendency — Plants typically have 5-7            major canes per plant from a base 30 cm in diameter on 6            year old plants. Mature cane color — Color greyed orange            198C. Mature cane length — 0.8-0.9 m. Mature cane width —            1.2 cm. Bark texture — Medium roughness (typical of species            Fall color on new shoots. Surface texture of new wood —            Smooth. Internode length on strong, new shoots — 15-20 mm.            Fruiting wood — to 15 cm in length.-   Foliage:    -   -   General.—Time of beginning of leaf bud burst — Late. Leaf            color (Top side) — Yellow green 147A. Leaf color (Under            side) — Yellow green 147C. Leaf arrangement — Alternate.            Leaf shape — Elliptic. Leaf margins — Entire. Undulation of            margin — Weak. Leaf venation — Reticulate. Leaf apices —            Acuminate. Leaf bases — Obtuse. Leaf Length — 60-70 mm. Leaf            Width — 30-34 mm. Leaf length/width ratio — Medium. Leaf            nectaries — Absent. Pubescence of upper side — Absent.            Pubescence of lower side — Absent. Cross sectional profile —            Flat. Longitudinal profile — Straight. Attitude —            Semi-upright to horizontal.        -   Petioles.—Length — 1.0 to 3.0 mm. Width — 2.0 mm. Color —            Yellow green 146C-147C.-   Flowers:    -   -   General.—Time of beginning of flowering — Early to medium            (mid May to early July at Lindendale, NSW Australia). Time            of 50% anthesis — Mid June at Lindendale, NSW Australia.            Flower shape — Urceolate. Flower bud density — Medium            density. Flower fragrance — Weak.        -   Corolla.—Color — White NN155D. Length — 10-13 mm. Width. —            6-9 mm. Aperture width — 3-5 mm. Anthocyanin coloration of            corolla Absent, occasional in bud stage. Corolla ridges            Present. Protrusion of stigma Usually absent.        -   Inflorescence.—Length — 40 to 70 mm. Diameter — 20-30 mm.            Length of peduncle — 15 mm. Surface texture of peduncle —            Smooth. Color of peduncle — 146C. Length of pedicel —            7-10 mm. Surface texture of pedicel — Smooth. Color of            pedicel — 147C. Number of flowers per cluster — 9-14. Flower            cluster density — Medium.        -   Calyx (with sepals).—Diameter — 9-11 mm. Color (sepals) —            Green 138C to yellow green 147C.        -   Stamen.—Length — 4-5 mm. Number per flower —            Approximately 10. Filament color — Yellow green 144D.        -   Pistil.—Length — 10-13 mm. Style: Length — 5-6 mm. Ovary            color (exterior) — Yellow green 144D-147C.        -   Anther.—Length — 3.0-3.5 mm. Number — Approximately 10.            Color — Grayed orange 167C-D.        -   Pollen.—Abundance — Medium. Color — Grayed orange 167C-D.            Self-compatibility 75% fruit set with own pollen in tests at            Lindendale, NSW Australia.-   Fruit:    -   -   General.—Time of fruit ripening — Early to medium (mid            August to mid October at Lindendale, NSW Australia). Time of            50% maturity — Mid-late September. Fruit development period            — 65 days. Cluster density — Medium, 6-9 berries per            cluster. Unripe fruit color — Green 138A. Ripe Berry color —            Black 202A. Berry surface wax abundance — Strong. Berry            flesh color — Grayed green 194C, lightening to 194D, then            193D. Berry weight — 3.0-3.5 g. Berry Height from calyx to            scar — 12-14 mm. Berry Diameter — 21 mm. Berry shape —            Oblate. Fruit stem scar — Small (dry). Sweetness when ripe —            Very high. Firmness when ripe — Firm. Acidity when ripe —            Medium. Storage quality — Good, lasted 10 weeks at 2 degrees            Celsius in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere            storage yet. Suitability for mechanical harvesting — Upright            plant habit and very firm fruit firmness, strong blush and            fruit shape suited to mechanical harvesting. Shake            requirement and season compactness not yet tested.            Self-fruitfulness — 75% fruit set with own pollen in tests            at Lindendale, NSW Australia. Uses — Fresh fruit for            shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home            garden plant.-   Seed:    -   -   General.—Seed abundance in fruit — Abundant. Seed color —            Greyed orange 164A. Seed length — 1.5-2.0 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS Organ ContextRidley 1212 Ridley 3402 Ridley 0501 C99-42 Plant vigour strong strongmedium medium to strong Plant growth habit upright to semi- upright tosemi- semi-upright upright semi-upright upright One-year-old shoot colorgreen green green green One-year-old shoot length of internode mediummedium medium medium Leaf length long medium to long long to very longlong Leaf width medium medium to medium to medium to broad broad broadLeaf shape elliptic elliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf color of upper sidegreen green green green Leaf intensity of green medium medium light tomedium color on upper side medium Leaf margin entire entire entireentire Flower bud anthocyanin coloration weak weak weak weak Flowershape of corolla urceolate urceolate urceolate urceolate Flower size ofcorolla tube medium small to medium medium medium Flower anthocyanincoloration absent or absent or absent or very weak to of corolla tubevery weak very weak weak medium Flower ridges on corolla tube presentpresent present present Fruit cluster density medium medium medium todense dense Unripe fruit intensity of green color light light lightlight Fruit size large medium medium large Fruit shape in longitudinaloblate oblate round round section Fruit attitude of sepals erect erecterect erect Fruit diameter of calyx basin medium medium medium to mediumlarge Fruit depth of calyx basin deep medium to deep deep to very deepdeep Fruit intensity of bloom strong strong weak to medium medium Fruitcolor of skin dark blue dark blue dark blue dark blue Fruit firmnessfirm soft to medium to medium medium firm Fruit sweetness very highmedium to low to medium medium high Fruit acidity medium medium tomedium to low to high high medium Time of vegetative bud burst latemedium medium early Time of beginning of flowering early to early veryearly early to medium medium Time of beginning of fruit early to earlyto early to early to ripening medium medium medium medium

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 1212’,substantially as illustrated and described herein.